The Ultimate Carpet Cleaning Quiz

The soft, snuggly feel of carpet is lovely, especially on a cold winter's day. However, dust and dirt have a habit of making themselves at home deep within carpet fibers. In addition, carpet stains can ruin the look of your plush, clean carpet. Take this quiz to learn some handy carpet cleaning tips.

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Question 1 of 20

How often is it recommended that you vacuum your carpets?

once a day

once a week

Carpets should be vacuumed once a week, but areas of heavy traffic may need more frequent vacuuming. Regular vacuuming will prolong the life or your carpet, since it will prevent grit from building up within the carpet fibers prevented.

once a month

Question 2 of 20

When vacuuming, how many times should you pass over each section of carpeting?

once

twice

several

Pass over each section of carpet several times and move the vacuum slowly to allow the suction to remove dirt deeply embedded in the carpet, especially in plush carpets.

Question 3 of 20

How can you prevent odors building up in the bag of the vacuum cleaner?

Add baking soda to the bag.

Backing soda can help to neutralize odors in the vacuum bag.

Spray air freshener into the bag.

Add flour to the bag.

Question 4 of 20

What is the No. 1 rule with regard to cleaning spills on your carpeting?

Clean the middle of the stain first.

Only use a towel to clean spills.

Clean them immediately.

Clean carpet stains immediately. You have a better chance of completely removing the stain if you catch it when it is fresh.

Question 5 of 20

What should you do before using a cleaning solution on your carpet?

Check that the solution won't damage the carpet.

Test the cleaning solution on an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using it, to check that it will not damage or discolor the carpet.

Dilute the solution well.

Mix in a chlorine agent to the solution.

Question 6 of 20

What should you avoid doing when lifting a stain from carpet?

wetting the stain

rubbing the stain

Try not to rub the stain, as this may spread the stain to a larger area.

drying the stain

Question 7 of 20

How should you wipe up the stain?

Starting from the outside and working your way to the center of the stain.

After applying the appropriate cleaning solution to the stain, blot up the moisture working your way from the outside of the stain to the center. This avoids spreading the stain.

Starting from the center of the stain and working your way outward.

Working your way across the stain in horizontal wipes.

Question 8 of 20

Which is the best material for absorbing carpet stains?

paper towel

tissues

a bath towel

A clean, white bath towel is the best material for drying up a carpet stain and for brushing the nap of the carpet back up into a standing position.

Question 9 of 20

What sort of solution should you apply to acid stains?

water and an antacid

water and ammonia

Acid and vomit stains should immediately be diluted with baking soda and water or with club soda. Then apply a solution of 1 part ammonia and 10 parts water. Rinse with cold water, allow to dry and then gently vacuum the carpet.

water and methylated spirits

Question 10 of 20

Many spills and stains can be cleaned with a solution made from a mild detergent, _____ and water.

citric acid

baking soda

vinegar

A solution used on many spills is a mix of 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon vinegar and 1 quart warm water. This solution can be used on the following stains: alcoholic beverages, blood, chocolate, coffee, fruit, gravy, mud, salad dressing, soft drinks and urine.

Question 11 of 20

How can chewing gum be removed from carpet?

by applying ice

Apply ice to the gum to harden it. It can then be pulled off the carpet. The same technique is used for removing candle wax from carpet.

by applying a baking soda mixture

by vacuuming

Question 12 of 20

What tool is used to remove crayon stains from carpet?

a spatula

an iron

To remove crayon stains from carpet, place a blotter over the crayon stain and press it with a warm iron until the crayon is absorbed onto the blotter. Make sure you move the blotter around so that it doesn't get oversaturated.

coffee filter paper

Question 13 of 20

What is used to remove red wine stains from carpet?

white wine

table salt

both of the above

First dilute the red wine stain with white wine. Then clean the spot with cold water and cover the stain with table salt. Allow the salt to absorb the stain, leaving it for about 10 minutes. Then vacuum up the salt.

Question 14 of 20

How do you know when it is time for a deep-cleaning carpet job?

The carpet feels sticky.

If your carpet feels sticky or is matted, if it is a different color to the swatch you originally looked at, if there are grimy marks around the chair legs or if you see dust emerging from the carpet when you walk on it, it is probably time for a deep-cleaning job. This will require a machine to shampoo and rinse the carpet properly.

The carpet feels soft.

The carpet has not faded.

Question 15 of 20

What do you need to check before deep-cleaning your carpet?

Ensure quick drying ability.

Test for colorfastness.

Make sure your carpet is colorfast before starting the cleaning process. Test the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area of the carpet by moistening a white towel with the solution. Dab the towel onto the carpet and if it doesn't pick up any color from the carpet it is probably safe to use.

Make sure the weather is dry.

Question 16 of 20

What should you place under the legs of furniture that cannot be removed from the room before cleaning the carpet?

paper

cotton

plastic

Place a plastic or foil piece under the legs and bases of furniture that will remain in the room during cleaning.

Question 17 of 20

What can you use to touch-up small areas of your carpet that have been altered by stain removers?

crayon

acrylic paint

Try touching-up small areas of carpet with artists' acrylic paint. If that doesn't work, try a felt-tip marker or permanent-ink marker that matches the color of the carpet.

clothing dye

Question 18 of 20

What can be used to raise depressions left in carpets by heavy furniture?

steam

Hold a steam iron close enough to the carpet that the steam reaches the carpet but that the iron doesn't make contact with the carpet fibers. After steaming the fibers, lift them by scraping the edge of a coin or spoon over them.

a fork

a towel

Question 19 of 20

What should you do if the carpet has a loose thread?

Cut it.

Do not pull the thread out or you may unravel part of the carpet. Instead, cut the thread so that it is level with the rest of the carpet fibers.

Leave it.

Pull it out.

Question 20 of 20

How can you repair an area of carpet that has been burned?

Replace the burnt area of carpet with a new scrap the same shape.

Replace the entire area of carpet in that room.

Replace burnt fibers with fibers from a new scrap of carpet.

There is no need to replace the entire carpet. If the carpet was not burned down to the backing, you can simply snip off the charred tips and no one will notice the slightly shorter length of a few fibers. If the burn went right through, simply cut down the fibers, apply white glue and replace the burnt fibers with new fibers from a matching carpet scrap.